Fault Finding Conservatory Sockets - Electrician Life

[@artisanelectrics]

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[@snail5967]

Thank you Jordan - I have a client with exactly the same problem with a loose back box and a void behind it - I was thinking about all sorts of ways to fill it in and fix the back box being careful not use anything that could damaged the cable etc. It turns out that the answer is really a simple case of adapt and overcome - penny washers at the ready! Thanks again 👍👍

[@davidclark3603]

A sparky is about the only trade where we can get a fix to anything! Good video!

[@garethblake3941]

Hi, l totally agree with you on the subject of metal back boxes and especially the one gang boxes which still have a top and bottom fixed accessorie holding lugs which l have never fully understood their purpose in life other than damaging the insulation when installing light switches.

[@markrainford1219]

I always squash them flat again.

[@JSPhi11ips]

Seen some old 5 Amp sockets using vertical screws

[@jamiesykes1115]

Crazy! I suppose if the customer is happy, maybe that's all that matters.

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

Probably worth sticking a label on the FCU behind the sofa stating it's function.

[@TheChipmunk2008]

I'd be tempted to change it to unswitched in this case :)

[@adgepeterb]

I had No power to my conservatory also tried everything.. watched this video and after 2 minute mark realised 'oh yeaaaa I have a switch behind my sofa to'... low and behold it also was turned off 😃... perfect!!!!!!!

[@GregMoseley]

Had a fault in our conservatory years ago, turned out to be a slug that had come up the cavity and decided to fry itself on the back of a plug socket! Our sparky couldn’t believe it, never seen it before.. 3 months later exactly the same happened on the same socket!

[@signumscreenprint8720]

Was it the same slug?

[@bigwoodrz]

For interest the Penny Washer is called a Mudguard Washer in Bunnings Australia.

[@cal2522]

Bunnings, made for the trade! Miss Oz

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Had one like that today... very elderly gentleman... bathroom downflow heater hadn't worked for months. Turns out he'd turned off the SFCU thinking it was a light switch. He'd lived there for 40 yrs and the spur had been there the whole time. No charge, obvs :) Edit: yeah, i do the penny washer trick too. Another trick (some might call it bad, but it can be useful!). If you have a garage CU with a minimum of 25mm knockout, and no 20mm.... SWA banjos will work as a gap filling washer... and can be bolted in place obviously.

[@tonyioppolo3891]

Love your work, with a straight forward explanation of what's going on. I'm an electrician who moved on to another life 35 years ago and I have a question regarding the socket tester that you used. When you say correct polarity, I'm curious as to what the display is if the neutral and earth are reversed? Thanks Tony

[@johnyearsley7970]

Hi there, when you said glue. I said no . I know it was spur at the moment and glad you decided to secure with screws. Thank you you are brill. John

[@ianjrivers]

I always use unswitched fused connection units for that exact reason...!

[@markrainford1219]

Yeah, it's what they're for.

[@Hammy135]

It’s surprising how often his happens. I’ve been to a few of these where they’ve lost feeds to things like attic lighting and garden sheds.

[@petertallowin6406]

Cool tip with the penny washer in the box. Going to bank that for future use. I normally drill a new hole like you mentioned but knockout looks much easier. Thanks.

[@GlossEU]

So I installed my own nest doorbell. It works but I can guarantee your install will look better!! 😆

[@rockythepitball]

Out of the Kewtech kt1780 or the TIS 851 voltage tester, what one would you recommend. Thanks

[@pedrojardim325]

Hi Gordon When u do insulation resistant testing On. The House Special when u got. A problem. And u not sure where is. Caming from What u normally do ? Switch off u mains And. Then. Curry on. Testing !!

[@jontownsend8090]

As always, starting simple often yealds results. Good job, i do agree with you about the back boxes, they need a total rethink. I will see what I can come up with in my electrical aladins cave.

[@burlacumarius6790]

Did you connect the cpc to the box ?

[@johnfenlon458]

Great Job! Thumb up!! Cheer!

[@briwire138]

Nice conservatory.

[@donnierobertson3088]

Great job and video like always

[@vincepeacham7292]

How come the back box wasn't earthed? And did you turn off at the rcd?

[@mathman0101]

Still think the speed E2, or wera turbo kompact would be the best option for screwing and unscrewing socket faces - big time saver.

[@amarcy5369]

Hi Jordan Completely agree regarding metal back boxes, as regards some saying about the top and bottom fixings on single boxes it to is a throwback to days when some manufacturers products that used them . And how many of us have seen say a single socket mounted on its side because the side lungs have been damaged 😁 . No definitely the manufacturers should get up speed on this most basic of item . So do I see a gap in the market for some budding entrepreneurs? I’m well retired so count me out 🤣 all the best to your good self . Regards Mike 👍

[@seemorebeer2848]

We’ll said, and good look with your side lungs 🥳

[@gycuk1173]

what was the outcome of the other video do we know with the dimming lights?

[@artisanelectrics]

Waiting for power analysis to be completed by UKPN

[@Lui-893]

Did clean out the brick dust from the back box? 😀

[@Tryingtimes007]

A pozzi screw holding the galvi fused back box in, beat you to it, amazing.

[@electricery]

I would have replaced the back box as soon as that lug came loose, also I would have swapped the fused connection unit for unswitched and labelled it all up.

[@theCybershot123]

Who pays for parts ?

[@electricery]

@@theCybershot123 obviously the customer does, doing the job properly is what you were engaged for and if that requires new parts then so be it

[@garethg2501]

Nice idea with the penny washer, I've always just drilled the sides as you first suggested. Do you ever feel guilty when charging what seems like a lot of money, when the fault is an easy fix in little time?

[@uplightuk8924]

Don’t feel guilty for a customers stupidity

[@garethg2501]

Yeah in this case I agree, but I've had a lot of faults which end up just been a loose connection that is fixed within 5 minutes. But I have to charge a minimum call out fee either way

[@iantibbetts6871]

@@garethg2501 why do you have to, or are you not self employed. If it was an easy fix, I used to adjust accordingly, so long as it covered my time and expenses. Made sure the customer knew I'd done it, got alot of repeats and recommendations.

[@uplightuk8924]

@@garethg2501 It’s not your problem mate, you need to make a living. Think about it like this. They’ve called you out because they don’t know how to do it themselves. I’ve had faults with my van which are easy fixes where I’ve had to splash out £100 to get them fixed and I didn’t care because I couldn’t do it myself.

[@thetruth6693]

More fault finding videos please

[@eric4709]

Had EXACTLY the same fault the other day . customer been in house 6 months .... And hadn't realised the Switched fused unit hidden behind the TV in the corner of the living room ( and it was turned off) fed an additional socket which she complained wasn't working. What REALLY shocked me though was - for a 10 year old house - how loose terminals were in all the sockets

[@jaygoodwin6287]

What is the tool used to test the wires? Not the plug in tool I'm looking in to become an electrician but I'm 27 next month. Is it to late for me?

[@justanotheruser101]

Never too late my friend

[@porkyemon]

Did you put a grommet in the back ?

[@MrAustinPowers]

I would label the two spurs so at least customer knows what they do for future reference if they sell

[@christopherbarlow8732]

Would it be possible for you to make a video regarding your testing procedures for a lighting circuit. More specifically, how you go about obtaining your R1+R2/R2 values, and insulation resistance testing of a circuit containing dimmers and many downlights? I’ve been told I’m spending too much time removing control gear, lamps and overriding dimmers for the sake of a job being done in the specified time allocated rather than thoroughly!!? This would be a great help🙏🏻

[@train4905]

Jorden may I please ask you what are the name.of the combination pliers with the wire strippers ,cutters and roundnose pliers built in thanku.

[@tomistallard]

I've got a new pair of Knipex 13 86 200

[@yolowolfyt]

Nice

[@Chatterisdotbiz]

What a result :-)

[@reseeddb6083]

Hello I would like to ask you someting. What is a better choise in your opinion - KEWTECH KT170 or Weidmuller VT COMBI PRO? Many thanks

[@artisanelectrics]

Never new Weidmuller made test equipment, and I havent tried the KT170 so cant say really.

[@reseeddb6083]

"I havent tried the KT170" Hmmm... In this video you use model Kyoritsu (KEWTECH) KT 170, am I right?

[@andrewwhite3793]

I get this a lot in high end rentals where the tenant says it just stop working so I ask did you switch anything off ? the reply is Nope when I find the switch the reply is well I seen that didn't think it did anything. Then I ask did you not think they were connected ? Then you see the blank look on their faces

[@kylethornton7151]

he’s deffo a c&g craftsmanship spark😂😂

[@bonaminhrasmey42]

Why would you have a switch there??😊

[@theCybershot123]

Noticed no rubber grommet on box that you refixed back in place

[@artisanelectrics]

Yes there was I’m pretty sure I put a grommet in there

[@dankelley9361]

Viewing from the US, nice job as always! What’s with all the low switches & why not just wire that one out, didn’t seem necessary

[@discomonkey3492]

Switched fused spur - the fuse is down rated from the ring main

[@mathman0101]

The joys of UK wiring. To be honest switched fuse spur provide an additional planned point of weakness big surge on that circuit the fuse on that switch would blow before the breaker does.

[@EsotericArctos]

Wonder what else that switch behind the couch controls. Not sure why you'd need two switched fuse units for the same circuit....

[@JoffiPhone]

Most likely the conservatory is spurred off the ring in the house on a single 2.5mm cable, first FCU fused at 13amp to protect against overload and allow multiple sockets to be installed and second FCU fused down to 5amp for lighting circuit

[@EsotericArctos]

@@JoffiPhone That makes some sense. :)

[@andychara1631]

you good job.

[@kyr34]

Why are the cables orange and black ?

[@jasontalbot8020]

Jordan is your apprentice Oscar still with you now there is a new guy onboard now

[@artisanelectrics]

Still working on getting him on board

[@geraldtomson8105]

I have always called them Panel Washers (that was in the motor trade)

[@JGprojects]

Which Veto Pro Pac is that?

[@artisanelectrics]

TP4B

[@JGprojects]

@@artisanelectrics Thanks, great video, the easy ones are always the best! Cheers!

[@discomonkey3492]

I call them repair washers

[@izalman]

Rather skeggy back box fixing in the brickwork, noted a screw head in the sidewall.....

[@andrewhills6535]

Tidy job

[@whatwhenwherewhyhow9094]

Did my eyes deceive me though Jordan, that socket was missing a grommet?

[@danekavia1]

When I carried out the fault finding in exactly this same way. I have been told by my assor that this is wrong.

[@Randrew18]

Why would they put a fused spur feeding a fused spur?

[@steveb1856]

Fused spur off ring for 13A radial to multiple accessories in the conservatory, fused connection down to 3A off that radial to supply lights?

[@artisanelectrics]

Yeah Steve that’s right

[@steveb1856]

@@artisanelectrics Not bad for a DIY’r then, some of us know what we’re doing😃👍

[@scottsparky1]

You should of changed the two we fuse spurs to in switched.

[@Murtagh7484]

Didn't earth the metal box for that socket! 😕

[@Stephen-yw9sn]

How much did you charge for this job? And how much do other electricians on this forum charge for call outs like this?

[@electricery]

The charge is whatever you normal call out is, it cost you travel to get there , allowed a time slot and importantly you solved the problem using skill and knowledge the customer didn’t have. For me that’s £70+vat, sometimes I feel sorry for them and do it half price, but that my choice as goodwill and not to be expected

[@Stephen-yw9sn]

@@electricery thanks for your reply. For myself, i would probably charged her £70 for this job scenario if it was within an hours drive from me. Out of interest, i would love to know what other electricians would charge for this. Would i be under charging or over charging?.

[@electricery]

@@Stephen-yw9sn an hours travel from home is two hours of your time as you have to get home again as well

[@Stephen-yw9sn]

@@electricery £??

[@lappfjard]

When it comes to backboxes, sockets, switches etc. Scandinavian countrys is WAY ahead of England it seems. Switches in sockets, i just dont see the point? Thanks for interesting content. 👍

[@artisanelectrics]

Thanks

[@tobysherring1369]

I'd rather switch off than pull plug out every time and leave it on the floor or find somewhere to drape it. I think switched sockets are less objectionable than ring final circuits!

[@obcallum6450]

Yeah they can be useful to save on electricity/time turning everything off at night, just depends how much you care about that sort of thing.

[@tobysherring1369]

@@obcallum6450 sometimes standby power lights etc can be quite bright. I like total darkness to sleep and it's much quicker to turn off than unplug. I changed an unswitched socket for switched, to help with this.

[@the_real_hislordship]

I like having switched sockets on my appliances. They're in reach so I can just turn off and avoid any phantom power being wasted on the microwave or tumble drier or whatever. Also saved my bacon when the transformer neutral came off last year. Phase 1 and 3 went sky high and phase 2 dropped down. If the sockets had been on I would have lost a lot of stuff.

[@peanutpotion]

What voltage indicator is that mate

[@Jacob-er7cl]

Bassicaly with the re threader you just screw it til it becomes nice and loose... not that loose! Lol

[@michaelgreen3542]

no grommet in back box

[@georgegeorgel7254]

U shouldnt take off the socket cover its extra work😊

[@martindixiesparks]

id have packed the back out with bonding mix

[@johnhollyman7874]

Hi Jordan I notice how you don’t perform safe isolation when you take out a fuse ie locking off circuit or leaving currently dated notices also are your test probes fused on your 240 phase tester? V.o. Sparks 50 yrs in trade

[@collinsthegamer11]

Why boxes ain't earthed???

[@normanboyes4983]

Why did you not just loop the circuit in the back box of the ‘hidden’ SFU and fit a blank plate?

[@dwsimon1]

It will be a spurn from a ring

[@Ragnar8504]

@@dwsimon1 I'd still replace it with an unswitched FCU.

[@normanboyes4983]

@@Ragnar8504 Yeah that would improve on my suggestion above and achieve the same effect (unintentional switch offs).👍

[@leeprice386]

change back box put holes in it before you fit it

[@nw5835]

Why change the back box.

[@jameswoods7276]

"Someone needs to redesign these boxes" yeah already been done, North American boxes have fixed lugs for the socket / switch screws. Faceplate then attaches to the socket / switch. Box is attached the wall stud in most cases.

[@oninbridders]

It must be soul destroying to charge for that job.

[@Hammy135]

If you’ve got a conscience

[@0xBA5]

Of course not. You drove there which costs time and fuel, freed up your schedule where you cannot take other customers. You spent time making an appointment and will spend time registering and billing. You touched it, so there will be a liability. Even with the minimum 1 hour fee you will still be taking a loss there. If you want any success you'll have to think like a businessman.

[@artisanelectrics]

Exactly right BazzzB

[@carterglover3539]

@@0xBA5 If the job was local and didn't cause inconvenience to Jordan (we don't know from the video) then letting the customer off lightly for this sort of job could bring a lot more work in in the future through referrals and even the customer themselves giving you more work. I've recieved thousands of pounds of work from customers before because of not having charged significantly for silly call outs like this. However, that said, if it was a costly call out and no relationship has been started with the customer then you've got to charge properly and the same if Jordan had to send a sub out to do the work.

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

@@0xBA5 Well said, I'm glad someone on here sees the whole picture and not just what's seen on a 8 minute video.

[@DerekHundik]

most conservatories have very poor electric

[@jasonelson7238]

You look better with a mask mate😂😂

[@christineallen7170]

Min 1 hr payment? How much?...that's why peaple wire up them self.... not always correctly....still I'm off on holidays next week might fly the plane my self?

[@andrewpowellnz]

Some jobs are easy most are not.

[@elainerussell924]

That was a easy 300 dollars

[@paulmcgeoch2603]

A half hour jobby 😱💩

[@ranat5526]

Who would have guessed that shariah law( Lawrence of Arabia laws) would be accepted in the UK!

[@discomonkey3492]

1st

[@mattJsy1]

2nd! 🤣

[@shaynemacdonald3051]

£90 a hour for this, no offence Jordan but was this wee job really worth doing a video for it?

[@oninbridders]

I think we should have got paid for watching a switch being switched on :) not sure why he uploaded it, he must be trying to meet some KZbin stat.

[@artisanelectrics]

This is real life guys, sometimes faults are super complicated and sometimes they are easy, I try to share both so that people know what the day to day life of an electrician is really like.

[@tobysherring1369]

It wasn't just the switch...the loose box is potentially dangerous.

[@iansyme3535]

Can't believe you were fixing the socket to the back box without powering down. Not what I would call safe or professional.

[@omari296]

Isolation police. Get a life

[@manuvincent9793]

Who puts a switch so low